Author: PreEmptive Team

Digital attacks become more destructive every year, causing significant concerns for businesses over cybersecurity. From 2021 to 2022, studies show that ransomware attacks increased by 49%, costing companies an average of $4.45 million per data breach. One of the main attack vectors for hackers comes from vulnerabilities in software coding. 

The immense cost of data breaches leaves businesses in dire need of application security. Terms such as in-app protection, application hardening, and application shielding have emerged to describe different approaches to safeguarding software. In this article, we will delve into the definitions and distinctions of these terms. But what do they mean and what are their differences in implementation? This article will provide understanding. 

Why Is Code Protection Necessary?

Just as businesses safeguard their physical assets, it is equally important to protect digital assets, applications, and data. Unfortunately, many organizations overlook the catastrophic consequences of data breaches, especially for apps built on open-source code. One evaluation of 1.7 million Android apps found that only about 24% of these apps received protection from developers.

Leaving code open and vulnerable allows hackers to exploit weaknesses, leading to unauthorized access, data theft, and ransom attempts. Protecting apps is how developers can mitigate these risks. 

Defining In-App Protection, Application Hardening, and Application Shielding

In-app protection, application hardening, and application shielding are terms that are similar and often conflated within the realm of code security. In some cases, they even overlap in practice as each ultimately accomplishes the same result: create secure code that stands up against hackers. 

→ In-App Protection

In-app protection was defined by Gartner in reference to the implementation of security measures within the application itself to defend against various threats. The technique embeds security measures directly into the application to defend against various attack vectors and uses techniques such as obfuscation, tamper detection, anti-debugging, and root detection. By incorporating in-app protection mechanisms, businesses fortify their applications and make it significantly harder for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities.

→ Application Hardening

Gartner defined the term “app shielding” as a category of technologies used for protecting applications from attacks and unauthorized access but it’s come to be a broader term used in cybersecurity to describe the protection of various aspects of an application not limited to its code. It utilizes measures such as vulnerability assessments, access controls, secure coding practices, and patch management to minimize attack vectors and fortify the overall security posture of the application.

→Application Shielding

While application shielding was once used to describe specific technologies, it is now used to refer to a range of app protection techniques such as cryptographic checks, anti-tampering measures, and runtime integrity checks. The goal of application shielding is to create a resilient application that can withstand sophisticated attacks and deter unauthorized modifications.

Getting Specific With Obfuscation for Source Code Protection

Although the above terms can often be conflated, one word sticks out that has a very clear meaning — obfuscation; and it’s one of the most effective strategies to protect source code.

Obfuscation is transforming the code to make it visually illegible and confusing to understand, while preserving its functionality. This technique thwarts reverse engineering attempts, making it arduous for hackers to decipher the logic and inner workings of the code. Some of the main obfuscation techniques include:

• Renaming: Changing variables by replacing characters with unprintable or invisible alternatives. 
• Data Removal: Removing unessential code to reduce the likelihood of hackers finding an easily accessible point of entry.
• Dummy Code: Inserting lines of random, unessential code to confuse hacking, SQL injection, and reverse engineering efforts.
• Control Flow: Altering case switches to reduce the logic of coding structures.

PreEmptive Is Comprehensive Code Security

No matter what terminology you use, the goal is the same — protect your source code, and PreEmptive is here to be your partner in the process. Our Dotfuscator solution has been the #1 .NET and in-app protection product for 20 years, and we have a range of solutions to secure your applications and mitigate the risks of data breaches.

Take the first step towards protecting your applications from data breaches with PreEmptive obfuscation. Start a free trial today and experience how our powerful tools make it easy to safeguard your code and defend against malicious attacks. Don’t leave your applications vulnerable — sign up for a free trial today.

There’s no doubt that mobile apps are a major part of the modern legal landscape. By streamlining many common tasks and interactions, mobile apps have revolutionized how lawyers do their jobs. But just because an app is designed for use in the legal field doesn’t mean it’s immune to cyberattack. 

Mobile app security in the legal industry has some unique considerations of which developers need to be aware. For one, much of the law office’s information is now accessible on a mobile device. This means that hackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities in mobile apps have an even greater opportunity to harm. 

Hence, developers need to design applications while keeping security considerations in mind from the start, or their applications can quickly become targets for malicious actors.

What Kind of Legal Apps Are Being Written❓

As lawyers increasingly turn to technology to supplement their practices, they find various legal applications available to help them do their jobs more efficiently. Legal apps can range from simple tools that provide basic legal information, to more sophisticated programs that allow lawyers to manage their cases and files more effectively.

At its core, a legal app is a software program designed to make navigating and using the law more convenient. Legal apps have a variety of purposes, including researching cases and statutes, preparing documents or pleadings, conducting searches and monitoring case law updates. 

Additionally, many legal apps offer features that assist lawyers with their day-to-day work, such as document management and communication tools. 

How ⚖️ Legal Apps Are Helping the Legal Industry

The legal industry is always in need of more efficient and effective ways to help its clients, and the use of apps has helped to fill this need. Legal apps are useful not only to the attorneys themselves but to individuals and businesses seeking a lawyer for advice or other legal services. Apps are also great tools for people who want to learn about the law on their own and understand how it works. 

Legal apps can be especially useful when it comes to court appearances or other interactions within the legal system.

These apps can help lawyers with a variety of tasks, from billing and scheduling to document management and appointments. 

Some apps even come with thousands of document templates, so lawyers can easily create contracts, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), liability waivers, power of attorney forms, and more. With so many helpful features, it’s no wonder that legal apps are becoming increasingly popular among attorneys.

What Is the Nature of Legal Apps 📱?

The past decade has seen a proliferation of legal apps for personal use, as well as for use in the law office. This proliferation is due in part to the widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets, which have made legal information more accessible than ever before. 

Different types of legal apps are available, including those focused on real estate, immigration, wealth management, and contract drafting. Some apps provide general legal information while others are designed specifically for a certain area of law. 

Some apps offer user-generated content, such as case law or sample pleadings. 

Whether you need to generate reports or track key performance indicators (KPIs), store and organize your documents, or centralize your client data, a legal app is there for that. Many apps will allow you to link all your files and documents to their related cases and matters. With so many different legal apps available, there’s no excuse for not being organized.

⚠️ Dangers of Poor Security for Legal Apps

The rise of the smartphone has led to an increase in the use of mobile applications for legal purposes. However, there are several dangers associated with using such apps without proper security measures in place. According to the American Bar Association, about 90% of lawyers use mobile phones for work-related tasks and 25% of law firms have suffered a security breach.

First and foremost, lack of security can compromise highly sensitive information and lead to identity theft. If someone obtains the login information for a legal app, they can access all of the documents and emails that may be stored within the app. 

Coding practices, which can include allowing easily guessed passwords by brute force, voiding data encryption standards, and not verifying SSL/TLS certificates, can put legal applications at risk of security breaches and even data theft.

Developers who fail to take precautions against security threats may face serious consequences, including loss of reputation and damage to the attorney-client privilege. To protect their apps and customers from potential damage, developers need to follow best practices when it comes to securing their code. For this purpose, PreEmptive provides the best protection for your data – no matter the type of mobile application!

What ✅ Best Practices Should Be Followed for Legal Apps Security? 

Lawyers are always striving to keep their clients’ data safe and secure, and Android apps can help them do just that. There are a few best practices that should be followed when creating an android app for lawyers.

First and foremost, make sure that the encryption processes are up to par. Make sure that all data is encrypted using industry-standard methods of encryption. This will help ensure that the data accessible from the app is protected from hackers and other malicious actors.

Another important consideration is the security of the app’s user interface. Employ strict security measures for the user interface, such as requiring a strong alphanumeric password and two-factor authentication in order to access sensitive information. Also, make sure that all user input is validated before it’s used in the application. That means making sure that user input matches existing data in the system, as well as that any unauthorized inputs don’t result in damage or harm to either users or the app itself.

Last but not least, make sure you have a solid backup plan in place. Use industry-standard disaster recovery procedures and back up your data regularly both on-premise and off-premise to ensure maximum safety for your users and your data.

How Does PreEmptive Help Developers in This Space Create Secure Apps?

As developers, your foremost concern is the security of your applications. To build something robust and resistant to attack, you need tools that will enable you to achieve this goal. 

PreEmptive provides developers with a layered approach to security that can help build resistant and resilient apps. Each product has multiple layers of protection including renaming, encryption, and checks at runtime. If you are looking for a way to improve the security of your app or want to ensure that it is resistant to attack, then it’s time to try PreEmptive for yourself.

Reading Time: 4 minutesCybersecurity for apps is a critical aspect of securing business activities. As applications are connected to the cloud and used over various networks, they are more prone to security vulnerabilities such as man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. 

An Accenture report states that cyber attacks saw an increase in 2021, rising to 270 from 206 per company. While SSL/TLS certificates ensure user data remains uncompromised, hackers can intercept the communication between the app and server to represent a fake certificate.

Therefore, it has become necessary for DevSecOps teams to mitigate the risk by providing an extra layer of security, like certificate pinning for the apps. This will ensure hackers cannot intercept the SSL certificates to gain access to financial information, login credentials, etc. 

But what is certificate pinning, how it works, what are its caveats, and how can it be used in conjunction with code security? Find out below.

What Is Certificate Pinning?

Certificate pinning is an additional layer of security for an app’s SSL/TLS certificate. It involves pinning the SSL certificate to a root certificate instead of a standard trust store on a device. 

A root certificate can be a specific public key or a guarantee signed and issued by a trustworthy Certificate Authority (CA) that establishes trust in an SSL certificate. This ensures the app will only accept the certificate it is programmed to trust specifically. Thus making it harder for an attacker to create a fake SSL/TLS certificate. 

How Certificate Pinning Works

The root certificate comprises information such as name, location, digital signature, and public key from the trusted CA. When a browser establishes a connection with a website, it checks the SSL certificate information against the pinned root Certificate. 

If the details match, a secure and encrypted communication channel is established between the browser and the server. However, if the information doesn’t compare, the browser won’t connect and will warn the user of a potential attack.

This ensures that even if an attacker intercepts the communication, they won’t be able to issue a fake SSL certificate, as the browser will reject it. 

In Which Situations Certificate Pinning Is Advantageous?

SSL certificate pinning is helpful in many situations where app security can be compromised. 

To Prevent MITM Attacks

As pinning ensures the apps accept only a specific certificate, it protects against MITM attacks. The hacker cannot break into HTTPS traffic between a browser and a server, even if they manage to intercept the communication.

To Transfer Confidential Data

All apps, especially E-commerce, financial, and third-party APIs, transfer sensitive information which can be compromised in the event of a cyber attack. But pinning ensures the data is transmitted over a secure channel. 

To Secure Internal Networks

In organizations where there is an acute need for trusted internal networks, pinning adds an extra layer of security to SSL certificates. This ensures that only authorized internal certificates can secure the communication.

To Establish Trust for Non-Trusted Networks

Public hotspots are non-trusted networks where pinning ensures the client (browser) intercepts the expected certificates, even if a network is compromised.

What Are the Limitations to Certificate Pinning, and How to Reduce Them?

When implementing certificate pinning for apps, there are certain caveats to consider and steps that can minimize potential drawbacks:

Update the Root Certificate

Root certificates require regular updation. Otherwise, they lead to lost traffic, broken links, or error messages. To ensure their validity, they must be kept up-to-date. There should also be a mechanism in place to update the certificate quickly in the event of a security breach or if they are revoked. 

Reduce Limitations

Pinning limits the flexibility of an SSL/TLS certificate, as only a specific CA can issue it. To minimize this drawback, certificate pinning must allow switching to a different root certificate if required. 

Minimize False Positives

Sometimes pinning can result in a false positive where the browser rejects a legitimate SSL certificate to warn the user of a potential attack. To reduce false positives, certificate pinning must be tested and validated before implementation. Moreover, detailed error messages must be provided to users whenever false positives occur.

Implement Multiple Root Certificates

Not all browsers support certificate pinning. To reduce this limitation, a specific system must be in place to allow support for multiple root certificates. In addition, the mechanism must also enable non-supportive browsers to access websites. 

How Can DevSecOps Implement Certificate Pinning With Code Security?

Certificate pinning is a critical security technique for DevSecOps teams to improve the security of their apps and provide quicker incident responses. It can be used in conjunction with a pre-emptive code security tool like DashO to prevent security vulnerabilities.

This enables the developers to provide multiple forms of obfuscation, making it impossible for attackers to hack through layered security. Here’s how pinning can prevent security vulnerabilities in code security during the app development phase:

Minimize Attack Surface

By restricting the trust of SSL certificates to a set of trusted root certificates, developers can reduce the attack surface of applications, preventing MITM attacks. Besides, pinning with code security also enables apps to detect if someone tampers with the certificates and terminates the connection if they are invalid.

Improved Incident Response

Integrated with a code analysis tool like JS Defender, pinning allows for quicker incident response. In the event of a security breach, it enables the DevSecOps teams to find the source of a problem in the code and fix it in record time.

Integration With CI/CD Pipelines

Certificate pinning can be integrated into CI/CD deployment pipelines. Implementing it in the app development process, especially during the testing phase, allows for quick validation of the code and the authenticity of the certificates. 

This ensures that the code is more secure and less vulnerable to security risks such as weak certificate validation and hard-coded certificates.

The Bottom Line

The ever-increasing popularity of mobile apps makes them a prime target for malicious attacks. According to a recent study, most Android apps are prone to cyber hacking, with 16% having no solution for this problem. 

Hackers can easily exploit code security to steal financial information and login credentials. But certificate pinning is a critical aspect of DevSecOps, adding an extra layer of encryption to app security during the development process. It ensures the apps not only rely on the trust store of their device but also require additional verification. 

Integrated with the PreEmptive Mobile App Protection Solution, pinning provides foolproof code security, making the apps more resilient to unauthorized debugging, and reverse engineering. Register today for absolute app protection!